A history-making athlete from India has tragically died after a fall from several floors out of a hotel.
According to The Times of India, 43-year-old Niket Srinivas Dalal died after falling from the third floor of the Kartiki hotel early Tuesday morning.
“Nobody is sure if he lost his balance and fell from the third floor, or if he ended his life,” said Kranti Chowk inspector Sunil Mane.
“We are investigating the case,” he added. Another officer told the outlet that while they’re currently unsure of what happened, the initial autopsy report showed multiple fractures in Dalal’s arms.
“Preliminary investigations, including statements from hotel staff and his family members, revealed that Dalal moved to the hotel on Monday night after a fire broke out at his home in the Khadkeshwar area. He checked into Room 317. The following morning, he was found lying below the hotel building,” reports from authorities state.
“Dalal was taken to govt medical college and hospital (GMCH), where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Kranti Chowk police registered a case of accidental death.”
Dalal rose to prominence as India’s first blind Ironman, achieving new heights for athletes with differing abilities in the country. He lost his sight in 2015 due to glaucoma, but the disability did not stop him from becoming a three-time national champion in swimming.
Dalal competed in and completed the grueling Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. The event includes a 1.9 km swim, 90 km of cycling, and a 21.1 km run. Not only was Dalal the first blind athlete from India to complete the event, he was also the fifth blind athlete in total to do so.
The son of a former deputy mayor, Dalal worked as a speech therapist while expanding his athletic career.
In addition to his skills as a swimmer and cyclist, Dalal also enjoyed a career as a motivational speaker.
One Indian outlet described Dalal as “a testament to human willpower, courage, and perseverance,” and said that “his legacy will continue to inspire countless others for years to come.”
Rest in peace to Niket Srinivas Dalal. We send condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and supporters during this difficult time.
Athlete Dies After Falling Out of Hotel At 43 Years Old first appeared on Men’s Journal on Jul 2, 2025
